The logistics industry is a world filled with technical concepts and acronyms . Understanding these concepts is crucial for both operational success and effective communication in transportation, warehousing, customs, distribution, and supply chain management .

Here is a glossary of the most commonly used terms in logistics, from A to Z …

 

A

• ADR (Accord Dangereux Routier): Agreement regulating the international carriage of hazardous materials by road .

• Agency : A representative organization that carries out transportation, customs or storage operations on behalf of a logistics company.

• Transshipment : The process of transferring cargo from one means of transport to another.

• ATA Carnet: An international document used to temporarily import goods into another country without duty.

 

B

• Declaration: Official document showing the type, quantity and value of goods at customs .

• Gross Weight: The total weight of the cargo carried, including packaging.

• B2B (Business to Business): Trade between businesses.

• B2C (Business to Consumer): Commerce from business to end consumer.

 

C

• CMR Document: Contract used in international road transport, determining the conditions of transportation of the cargo.

• Cross Docking : Transferring products directly from vehicle to vehicle without entering the warehouse.

• Charter : Renting a ship, aircraft or vehicle for a specific period or voyage.

• Container : Standard-sized cargo transport boxes used in international transportation.

 

D

• Demurrage: Penalty paid in case of exceeding the loading or unloading period.

• Distribution Center (DC): A logistics center where products are collected and prepared for shipment.

• Warehouse Management System (WMS): Software that manages storage operations in a digital environment.

 

E

• ETGB (Electronic Commerce Customs Declaration): Customs declaration prepared electronically for e-export and small shipments.

• EXW ( Ex Works): Export delivery method; the seller delivers the goods in his own warehouse, all transportation and insurance costs are the responsibility of the buyer.

 

F

• FCL (Full Container Load ): The filling of a container by a single loader.

• FOB ( Free On Board): The seller bears all costs until the goods are loaded onto the ship.

• Refrigerated Transportation: Cold chain transportation using temperature-controlled vehicles.

 

G

• Size: The legally determined maximum dimensions of the load to be carried.

• Customs Clearance: Official procedures for passing products through customs during import or export transactions.

• Route: The route plan followed during transportation.

 

H

• Hub : Main distribution center in logistics.

• Handling: All loading, unloading, transfer and handling operations.

• Hinterland : The land area served by a port or logistics center.

 

I

• Incoterms : Standard rules determining delivery methods in international trade.

• Stacking: The orderly arrangement of loads in a vehicle or warehouse.

 

J

• Just in Time (JIT): A supply chain model that aims to deliver products exactly when they are needed.

 

K

• Cabotage: The right of ships flying only the flag of a country to carry cargo and passengers between its ports.

• Consolidation: Transporting small loads from different shippers by combining them.

 

L

• Lowbed Transportation: Transportation of out-of-gauge and heavy loads with special trailers.

• LCL ( Less than Container Load ): A container is shared by more than one load owner.

 

M

• Minivan Express: Fast delivery of small volumes and urgent loads with minivan vehicles.

• Multimodal Transportation: Transporting a load using different types of transportation (land, sea, air, rail).

 

N

• Freight: The fee paid for transportation services.

• Transport Insurance: Insuring the cargo carried against the risk of damage or loss.

 

O

• Operation: All planning and implementation steps taken during the transportation process.

• Out of Gauge (OOG): Loads exceeding standard container dimensions.

 

P

• Partial Transportation: Transporting loads that cannot fill a single vehicle by combining them with other loads.

• Project Transportation: Transportation of loads requiring special dimensions, weight and conditions.

 

R

• RORO ( Roll -On/ Roll-Off ): The method of wheeled vehicles entering and exiting the ship on their own wheels.

• Route Optimization: Planning the delivery route in the shortest and most efficient way.

 

S

• Shipping: The process of moving goods to a designated location.

• Stock Management: Control of product quantity in the warehouse, their incoming and outgoing items and order status.

 

T

• Transit Transportation: Transportation that passes through one country to another.

• Transport Document: Official document prepared during the transportation of the cargo.

 

U

• U-ETDS: Transportation Electronic Tracking and Control System.

• International Transportation: Freight and passenger transportation between different countries.

 

V

• Crane Transport: Loading or unloading heavy loads onto or off the vehicle using a crane.

 

Y

• Loading Plan: A plan showing how loads are to be placed in a vehicle or container.

• Domestic Transportation: Logistics activities carried out within the borders of the country.

 

Z

• Chain Transport: Transporting a load sequentially using different vehicles and types of transport.